I love you, goodbye

Blair's silence prompts Aeneas to continue his act. He pointed the blade at himself, but Blair quickly stopped him. The blade was thrown from his hand with a loud sound.

Aeneas stares at the poor blade, then back at Blair.

"Your face…!"

The scream startled Blair himself. He pondered for a moment as if he had just realized what he had just said.

"See?" snorted Aeneas in disgust. He rubbed a small scratch on his face. "You are no different from King Tristan. You want me as a display!"

"Aeneas!" Blair squeezed Aeneas's shoulder tight. "Why don't you understand how I feel? I want to protect you, that's all! It would be best if you didn't get hurt or experience those bad things again. I did it because I love you."

"Your love disgusts me…"

Perhaps the words had gone too far, or Blair had gone completely mad. After saying that, Blair slapped Aeneas hard, taking both of them by surprise.

Luckily, Aeneas immediately came to his senses and counterattacked Blair, but his attack was quickly parried. Of course, Aeneas didn't give up immediately. He continued his attack on Blair.

Is Aeneas preparing the ultimate attack? Don't joke. He's not that great. The only thing he had prepared to kill Blair was sheer determination. Aeneas only knows that he must not die here. Not after he managed to kill King Tristan and drive Blair mad.

Only one person left. There's only Blair left before heading to the world I want! thought Aeneas, then drew his sword forcefully at Blair.

Hit! Even though it doesn't cause a fatal wound, finally, Aeneas's sword hits Blair!

Blair staggers slightly while covering the wound Aeneas gave him. He looked at his brother in disbelief. "Aeneas, calm down. Please… You're just misunderstood."

"You're still trying to persuade me? After what you did to me? After what you did to my wife?"

"Come on, Aeneas… Do you really think of Selah as your wife, as your family? I share blood with you!"

"At least she's better than you." Aeneas attacks Blair again. Blair is getting desperate. "If it weren't for Selah and the late Lady Helena, I wouldn't be here. And it's all because of you!"

It's clear. Blair fell to his knees on the floor, and his sword, which fell too, immediately kicked away Aeneas.

"What's missing from me?!" Blair demands as Aeneas's sword is aimed at his neck. "I've given you everything! And I can give you so much more! As long as you are by my side, Aeneas. As long as you're by my side, I-!"

Blair's words are cut off by Aeneas's sword scratching his neck. Blood flowed profusely from the deep scratches. Instantly, Blair lay down with his hands, trying to cover the deep scratches.

Coughing up blood indicated that Blair wanted to say something but failed. The only sound that could be heard was an indistinct, painful groan. Luckily, Aeneas couldn't stand Blair's nonsense about him wanting Aeneas to stay by his side.

But it seemed Blair was adamant on finishing his words. He kept trying to say something, making his coughing up blood even worse. When he realized that his efforts to speak were futile, his hand tried to reach Aeneas.

Aeneas stares at the bloody hand in silence.

Aeneas took a deep breath. "Stop it, Blair, don't make me regret it. I'm tired of being used as a battleground by many people," he said in a trembling tone. "I am not a display to be looked after carefully!"

Blair's breathing began to sound heavy. His eyes were half closed now. Amidst it all, he managed to say one word.

"Aeneas…"

What does he want to convey? An apology? Regret? Expression of feelings?

Aeneas slowly kneels in front of the dying Blair. Finally, his hand took her bloody hand, intertwining their fingers.

Whether it's just Aeneas's vision or not, he sees a faint smile on Blair's lips.

And with that, Blair closed her eyes.

Aeneas takes Blair's sword and decapitates him. He took the head and kissed her on the lips, something Blair had probably longed for from him.

"I love you, goodbye."

***

The knights of Mesina and those who had just heard of the impromptu coup d'etat in the Palace gathered when the skirmish was over. The sound of a trumpet blowing was mixed with a sigh of relief, indicating the coup they never thought was over. It's good that the fight dragged on.

But are they relieved with just that? Hearing the word coup, they immediately knew this was a battle between Crown Prince Blair and Second Prince Aeneas. They always seem friendly and kind, so why are they fighting? Is the problem that Selah Dulcia was originally Blair's fiancé and married Aeneas instead?

"What's the matter?"

"You don't know either? You're a knight!"

"No, I don't know. It seems… this is a private matter between Crown Prince Blair and Prince Aeneas. They are fighting behind closed doors."

"So, who won?"

"I told you I didn't know!"

The people outside the Palace were made to wait. But they didn't complain, even though it started to snow. For them, nothing is more important than the why and how of this moment.

Until finally, after a tense silence, several Palace knights asked the knights outside to enter.

Again, they were made to wait.

This time was not extended because the people outside were asked to open the way. Don't stand blocking the gate. You'd better go home as well. The entire bulletin board will be plastered tomorrow morning with the latest statement from the Palace.

Do they comply? They still insisted on hearing the statement from the Palace with their own ears.

And what they were waiting for finally came.

A ministry official came out with a slightly messy shirt stained with blood and a tired face. Several Palace knights surrounded him, and a parchment was in his hand.

He requested that the people calm down before he continued, "The Royal Palace announces the death of Crown Prince Blair Seneca in the fight against Second Prince Aeneas Seneca. Further details will be announced tomorrow. His Highness funeral will be held according to protocol and on the same day as the funeral of His Majesty King Tristan Seneca."

Dense, short, and unclear. Crown Prince Blair is dead. It must be because of his battle with Aeneas just now. But what is the reason behind it? They want to know!

So they kept waiting, even after being kicked out. Some started to go home because they couldn't stand the cold, and the faint smell of rotten blood was starting to smell. A few are waiting, waiting for something. And those who are still waiting then know what the real reason is.

Blair Seneca's head was impaled on the gates of the Royal Palace that afternoon.

This humiliating punishment only applies to members of the royal family who have committed treason against their kingdom.